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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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Supreme Court Sidesteps Major Voting-Rights Ruling

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(AP) – The Supreme Court ruled narrowly today in a challenge to the Voting Rights Act, exempting a small Texas district from a key provision of the law, but side-stepping the larger constitutional issue. The act requires Southern areas with a history of discrimination to get advance federal approval before changing election procedures. The larger issue of whether the law is still necessary, “is a difficult constitutional question we do not answer today,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote.

In other Supreme Court news:

  • The court ruled 6-3 that parents who place their special-education students in private schools can seek public reimbursement.
  • In another 6-3 ruling, the court upheld a permit to dump gold-mine waste in an Alaska lake, saying it had been improperly blocked on environmental grounds.
  • The court declined to revive Valerie Plame's lawsuit over her leaked identity.

Members of the Supreme Court await the arrival of President Barack Obama prior to his address to a joint session of Congress, Feb. 24, 2009.
Members of the Supreme Court await the arrival of President Barack Obama prior to his address to a joint session of Congress, Feb. 24, 2009.   (AP Photo)
In this March 5, 2009, file photo, the Supreme Court Building is seen in Washington.
In this March 5, 2009, file photo, the Supreme Court Building is seen in Washington.   (AP Photo)
In this April 30, 2008, file photo, Chief Justice John Roberts speaks at the University of Kansas in Lawrence.
In this April 30, 2008, file photo, Chief Justice John Roberts speaks at the University of Kansas in Lawrence.   (AP Photo)
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JonmarkP
Jun 22, 09 11:30 AM CDT
With the mainstream media, the Supreme Court, the White House and the Congress looking after the interests of corporate wealth and privilege, who looks after the interests of working people? Ah, we're on our own out here until we force our way in. The Iranians have the balls to try, but I appears we do not. Jefferson was right. Reply
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JonmarkP
Jun 22, 09 11:33 AM CDT
" appears..." = "it appears..." (Genuflects)
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Clarke
Jun 22, 09 2:08 PM CDT
Agree 100%.
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anchower
Jun 22, 09 2:37 PM CDT
You're referring to Jefferson's "tree of liberty" remark, I take it? The man certainly talked the talk, but he did not walk the walk. Slaveowner, misogynist, originator of Indian removal. Fuck Jefferson.
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AnnieChrist
Jun 22, 09 1:36 PM CDT
If anyone ever doubted the abject stupidity, and total lack of constitutional ratiocination on the part of clarence thomas, read this statement: Justice Clarence Thomas, alone among this colleagues, said he would have resolved the case and held that the provision, known as Section 5, is unconstitutional. "The violence, intimidation and subterfuge that led Congress to pass Section 5 and this court to uphold it no longer remains," Thomas said. So, according to thomas, a law passed in 1965 and upheld by the court for 45 years, is suddenly, according to thomas, unconstitutional. How can a law be constitutional for 45 years, then suddenly become unconstitutional? Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! What will his next brilliant opinion hold for us? Will he say that because we now have a perfect government, the First Amendment guaranteeing our right to freely assemble for redress of grievances, is unconstitutional because "The violence, intimidation and subterfuge that led to the First Amendment and this court to uphold it no longer remains," Reply
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ANALYSIS

Roberts Labors to Bring Divided Court Together

Chief scores 2 big 8-1 decisions last week, but Supremes still split

Jun 29, 09 7:35 AM CDT
(Newser) - John Roberts told the Senate in 2005 that the Supreme Court was too polarized, and as chief justice he promised to encourage harmony between the court's left and right blocs. Last week he delivered, with two 8-1 decisions on the Voting Rights Act and the strip-search of a 13-year-old girl.... More »

MORE ABOUT:
John Roberts • Voting Rights Act • Chief Justice • strip search • court cases • US Supreme Court

(Newser) - Today’ non-decision by the Supreme Court on Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act is actually a stern repudiation, Tom Goldstein writes for SCOTUSblog. Reading between the lines, Goldstein surmises that the court will strike down Section 5 when the next challenge comes if Congress does not significantly alter it... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Congress • legislation • Voting Rights Act • US Supreme Court • constitutionality • opinion • racial discrimination • Section 5

Supreme Court Dumps Suit Vs. Mueller, Ashcroft

9/11 detainee faulted FBI head, former AG over confinement rules

May 18, 09 10:29 AM CDT
(AP) - The Supreme Court says a lawsuit against FBI Director Robert Mueller and former Attorney General John Ashcroft by a former Sept. 11 detainee cannot go forward. The court today overturned a lower court decision that let Javaid Iqbal's lawsuit against the high-ranking officials proceed. Iqbal is a Pakistani Muslim who... More »

MORE ABOUT:
FBI • John Ashcroft • Robert Mueller • September 11 • lawsuit • detainee • US Supreme Court • attorney general • Javaid Iqbal

24 Stories

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